FRUIT HEIGHTS — For Karen, motherhood has been more than just a chance to raise six wonderful children; it has been her only way through personal tragedy.

When her three sons and three daughters were between the ages of 3 and 18, Nancy’s husband was hospitalized with breathing problems. Following an open-lung biopsy, a pancreatic attack and 11 days on life support, he died. Doctors never understood why.

Devastated, Karen’s only desire was to do a good job of being a mother.

“I knew how important it was and I didn’t want to fail at it,” she said. All she wanted was “to make sure my kids stayed united as a family and did what we wanted to achieve for ourselves. I think that we did that.”

Karen was away from the workforce for 20 years, but returned as a speech and language pathologist after moving to Utah with her children.

“There’s definite challenges being a single mom,” she said, “but I always have felt ђ we’ve never felt alone, really.”

Read more about the Davis Clipper's Mother pf the Year celebrations by clicking here. Winning mothers from each city will be highlighted all week. Check for your city's honoree at davisclipper.comandutahislander.com.